December in Chicago

Chicago's first live house tour party last Friday was a perfect way to bring ideas of entertaining, community, and solutions to design dilemmas to life this month. While we await Evan's (AT:Chicago photographer extraordinaire) slideshow recap of the evening in images, we are just as eager to see how our readers are celebrating in December. What happens to your home as it fills up with guests? Anyone embarking on your first holiday gathering or continuing with longstanding traditions? We would love to see some photos and hear some stories. Send them in (or tag with apartmenttherapychicago in Flickr). Table settings, furniture rearrangements for easier entertaining, holiday decor...we want to see it all. And of course, your questions are always welcome!

A handmade place card sits in a candy stick frame, simple and sweet. For the dinnerware, start with the ubiquitous white plate, then layer on the color with a citrus green silk napkin, opalescent-handled flatware, and a pretty pink-rimmed plate. Tying the grouping together is a wonderful plaid cloth in all the hues of the season. Tablecloth, Gracious Style. Glassware and flatware, Rosanna. Salad Plates, Kate Spade.

Check out the Hannukah and New Year's place settings featured here, too.